The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (5 to 11 February) with a record number of apprentices recruited. The Company pledged to recruit 28 apprentices and trainees by the Spring of 2024 as part of its UK-wide Apprenticeship Programme.
Working in partnership with regional training providers Solihull College & University Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon College and Chichester College, the RSC’s national Apprenticeship Programme supports targeted apprenticeships across every area of its work. The focus is on those who are under-represented in the arts industry or those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, with an ambition to provide access to creative pathways which support the whole arts and culture industry.
The RSC apprenticeships and traineeships include Customer Services, Venue Management, Scenic Carpentry, Scenic Engineering, Catering, Costume, Prop making, Finance, Data Improvements and Maintenance Engineering. Apprentices can train and earn a salary whilst studying for a professional qualification, with all coursework time included in their contracted hours.
The expansion of the RSC’s Apprenticeship Programme has been made possible by the generous support of Garfield Weston Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Mackintosh Foundation.
Jacqui O’Hanlon, Director of Creative Learning and Engagement, said:
“Apprenticeships are an important lever in ensuring the arts and cultural sector is representative of the society we live in. In broadening industry representation, we know that lack of talent and potential is not the issue, but lack of opportunity and lack of awareness is. We need a consistent and confident message to flow through formal and higher education that careers in the arts and creative industries exist, and that there are inclusive pathways into them for young people. We need local and national policy makers to recognize that the skills we develop through arts subjects and disciplines are transferable to any other career pathway we might want to embark on; providing skills for both life and for work.
“At the RSC, we are committed to our role as a Teaching Theatre – a learning organization that invests in, supports and trains current and future generations of theatre artists and professionals to build a stronger, fairer and more diverse arts sector.”
Jessie Humbly, Apprentice Costume Maker, said:
“I really like coming in every day and finding out what I’m going to be doing because it’s different all the time. Some things can be challenging but I get to learn new skills and put them into practice, and then see them on stage. There is so much that I can learn from this experience and develop my skills.”
Olivia Creed, Stage and Props Apprentice, said:
“My favourite thing about my apprenticeship is it being so hands on and learning how to make the magic happen that the audience see on stage. I learn so much, and it’s so varied because of all the different shows that come in. At the end of my apprenticeship I would love stay here and keep learning and enjoying what I’m doing.”
RSC apprenticeships are for those who want to pursue a career in theatre, taking a work-based path and offering the opportunity to gain Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade A*-C/9-4) and/or Level 3 qualifications (equivalent to an A Level). On average, apprentices spend around 80% of their time at the RSC and 20% with their training provider.
Those interested in an apprenticeship can visit https://www.rsc.org.uk/jobs/where-do-i-fit-in/apprenticeships
